Scottish Thistle Awards 2000 - Winners - Skills for Success - Small Company Winner - Skaill House Skaill House is a 17th century mansion house next to Skara Brae on Orkney. It first opened to the public in June 1997 and gained the Investor in People award in 1999. The training and staff development programme is designed to take into account the seasonal nature of employment. With a small training budget, their mission is built on the strongly held view that the staff are ambassadors for Orkney as well as Skaill House and that all staff should seek to exceed customer expectations. Benefits of the training programme include increased income, improved customer satisfaction, lower staff turnover and excellent team spirit and efficiency. Contact Janette Thomson Tel: 01856 841 501 www.orknet.co.uk/skaillhouse/ Media Contact: Gareth Crichton Tel: 01856 850 353 Finalist - Dunnikier House Hotel Dunnikier House Hotel in Kirkcaldy has been developed with the aim of providing all their guests - and business travellers in particular - with the highest possible standard of accommodation, food and service. The management has adopted a policy of continuous training of all staff through a mix of internal and external training, using a small budget to train the 5 full-time and 6 part-time staff. Benefits to date include an increase in repeat business and occupancy, as well as growth in use of the hotel by local companies. Future plans include an upgrading programme of all areas, both inside and outside the hotel. Finalist - Loch Torridon Country House Hotel Loch Torridon Country House Hotel is privately owned, enjoying a most impressive coastal position in the Highlands. The appointment of new General Managers in 1999 led to a revised and innovative approach to training and staff development including an ''away-training'' initiative that provided staff with experience working in other hotels. With 15 full-time employees and 20 part-time, staff turnover has reduced by 50% and there has been a significant increase in turnover through repeat business as a result of the more professional service that guests are receiving.